Sleeping-car berth



Dec` 1Q, 1929. K. H. MIDDENDORF SLEEPING CAR BERTH Filed Aug. 27, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l g1: vente@ K. H. MIDDENDORF Dec. l0, 1929.

SLEEPING CAR BERTH VFilec Aug. 27

, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3mm/nto@ @r/f. Mdemzwf @7M/M www Dec. 10, 1929. K. H. MIDDENDORF SLEEPING CAR BERTH Filed Aug. 2v, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 u Foa Patented Ecc. 10, 1929 naires STATES PATENT FFCE SLEEPING-CAR BERTH Application vled August 27, 1928. Serial No. 302,272.

4 The oresent invention relates to improvements in sleeping car berths and has for its object to provide construction by which the occupant of either a lower or anfupper berth will be provided with facilities for dressing or undressing superior to those provided .by the constructions commonly in use.

One of the great disadvantages of the ordinary type oir' sleeping car is the inconvenience to which the occupant of an upper berth, in par icular, is subjected in undressing or dressing. By the present'invention, means are provided whereby the occ pant of an upf berth is provided with ample space for dressing and undressing without disturbing the occupant of the corresponding lower berth and in which the two berths are so sep arated that the occupant of each is insured the desired privacy.

A further object of the present invention is to provide construction of sleeping cars in which the ventilation of both upperand lower berths is superior to that commonly ernployed.

Another object of theinvention is to provide an improved means for screening the berths of a sleeping car romthe aisle,-said means having closure devices opera-ble only by occupants ol the berths. lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention. consists in the construction and arrangement of parts that will behereinaftermore particularly pcinted'out and described in connectio with the accompanying drawings.

t will be understood that in the drawings many or" the parts are shown more or less conventionally and there can, of course, be considerable variation from the exact details shown Without departing from the invention. ln other words, the drawings are to be considered as illustrative rather than restrictiveA of the invention, and except as specifically described in the appended claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure l is an elevation of a portion ofa sleeping car provided with `an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section of the parts shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section.

Figure 4t is an elevation similar to Figure l with the berths of a section enclosed.

Figure 5 is an elevation, partly in section, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 6 is a detailed section substantially on. the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Figure 5.

Inthe drawings like reference characters designate corresponding parts'in the several views, and as is customary, the seats are arranged inpairs, the members 1,2, of each pair being arranged back 'to back, and, as shown, separated by a stationary partition 3 that ex tends continuously from the licor to the ceilingof the car.

As is customary, each seat comprises a bottom cushion 4, a back 5, and a pivotally mountedhead rest 6. As is usual, the bottom and baclr cushions 4, 5, are adapted to be placed in horizontal alignment to constitute abcd or mattress support and the head rest 6 may, as shown, be turned about its supporting pivot so that-it canserve as a shelf at the end of the berth, in the ordinary manner.

The upper berth comprises tWo sections 7, 8, which are hinged or pivotally connected to columns rising from the frames of each pair of seats l, 2, so that said berth sections may be swung from a substantially horizontal position to a vertical position .above the backs ot' the seats which are adapted to constitute parts of the corresponding lower berth.

As shown, the upper berth sections are thus connected to plungers or pistons l0 and of a portion `ll arranged in cylinder-like casings formed in the pillars rising from the seat frames, and means are provided whereby each of said plungers and the attached upper berth section may bebodily adjusted vertically inde- Vpendent of the other upper berth section and its supporting means.

VVarious means may be provided for supporting the upper berth section in a substantially horizontal position and permitting the same to turn about its aforesaid pivotal connection with the corresponding plunger. As

shown, cables 12 attached at 13 to the upper berth section pass over pulleys 14 mounted in the upper portions of the plungers or tubular stems of the pistons and are connected to counter-weights 15 positioned within said stems, and when the berth section is in horizontal position, said counter-weights contact with stops 16. By such an arrangement, it will be seen that each upper berth section may be readily swung upward about its pivotal connection with its supporting plunger into a vertical position as represented in dotted lines in Figure 1, for example, the counter-weights 15 moving downward in the plunger tube during such swinging movement.

Suitable locking means', not shown, will be provided for maintaining the upper berth sections in an upright, inactive, position when the upper berth is not in use.

Upward movement of each berth supporting plunger is effected by suitable power means, e. g., by fluid pressure, for example, compressed air, supplied at will through pipe 2() to chamber 21 below each piston. Means for controllingthe admission and escape of fluid pressure from the chamber 21 will be provided within reach Vof the occupant of each upper berth so that the parts canbe readily controlled and adjust-ed as hereinafter more particularly described.

When it is desired to utilize an upper berth, the member 7 thereof, for example, will be permitted to swing downward to the horizontal position represented in full lines in Fig. 1. By admitting air under pressure to the chamber 21 below the pistons 10 connected with said berth member, the latter will then be bodily raised to the position shown `in dotted lines in Figure 1. Then the member 8 of the berth will be opened and permitted to assume a horizontal position, the two sections 7, 8, being then in the relative positions shown in Figure 5. With the parts in this position, it will be seen that the occupant of the upper berth is enabled to utilize the member 7 as a seat while the member 8 constitutes a floorlilre section and thus provides ample space for dressing and undressing. To insure complete privacy the upper berth members 7, 8, may, when in use, be connected by a curtain 22, which as shown is detachably connected at one 'endto the berth member 7 and has its opposite edge connected to a suitable spring roller, for example, 23, carried by the berth member 8. Further, of course, the upper and lower berths of each section of the car are separated from the aisle by a screen or removable partition member, hereinafter more particularly described.

Preferably the connection between the curtain 22 and the upper berth member 7 comprises a plurality of rings or loops secured respectively to the curtain and berth member and through which a rod 24 is passed.

When the aisle separating screen or curtain is in position, it will be seen that this rod 24 cannot be withdrawn.

In arranging or making up the upper berth, the bedding will be folded upon the berth member 7 and after the occupant of the berth has prepared for retiring, it is only necessary to manipulate the means provided for supplying fluid under pressure to the chamber 21 beneath the piston 11, to cause the berth member 8 to be bodily raised until it is in horizontal alignment with the berth section 7 Then the bedding which has, as above stated, been folded upon the section 7, is unfolded to extend over both sections, and

abed, such as is commonly provided, 1s`

available.

Means'may be provided for positively loclring each of the pistons in its upper position if desired.

When the occupant of the upper berth wishes to dress, it is only necessary to actuate the control means to permit of relieving),` the pressure in 'the chamber 21 below the piston 11 when such piston and the berth section 8 connected therewith will automatically descend until the two berth sections are in substantially the relation shown in Figure 6, and then the space above the berth section 8 provides ample room for the occupant of the berth to dress.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, theY mattress support 4 of the lower berth is formed in the usual manner by the seat and backV members 4, 5. As shown in Figure 1, it is possible to arrange the bedding on the members 4, 5, of the seat 2 while leaving a space between the adjacent vedges of the cushions 4 to provide a space in which the occupant of the lower berth may stand dressing` or undressing. When the occupant of the lower berth is ready to retire it is merely necessary to draw forward the seatand backvmembers 4, 5, of the seat, either manually or by some mechanical means, such,

for example, as is used for raising the upper berth, to complete the mattress support, and unfold the bedding which has, as previously noted, been initiallyplaced upon the members 4, 5, of the seat 2.

The two berths of each section of the car are shown as adapted to be separated from the aisle by a curtain which is shown as being suspended froma rod 3G and secured to the members of the frames rising from the 5 seats by detachable fasteners 31, such as eyelets and turn buttons or clasps and studs. The curtain is provided with two flaps 32, 33, respectively controlling openings through which accessv may be had to the upper and lower berth and preferably such closures may be secured in closed position by flexible slide fasteners 34 operable from the interior of the berths. stances, access to either berth can only be had Therefore. under ordinary circumwith the consent of the occupant and means operable from within the berths. In case of necessity, however, the entire container or closure may be removed from the aisle or outside the berth.

As shown, the side wall of the car between the seats l, 2, of each section is preferably provided with two groups of windows, the lower group 40 communicating with the lower berth space and the upper group 41 communicating with the upper berth space. Preferably all of these windows are of the casement type and each may be swung outward about a vertical edge so as to vary the position thereof in accordance with the changes in the direction of movement of the train, one of such outward positions being represented in Figure 3. As various well known means for effecting such movement of the windows may be employed, it is not thought necessary to illustrate or describe any particular means.

From Figure 1 it will be seen that when the upper berth sections are in position to serve as a bed, they are situated slightly above the horizontal plane of the upper edges of the windows 40 and in substantial alignment with panels 42 separating the upper and lower groups of windows.

The arrangement of the berth described provides two cabinets 45, 46, above the upper berths to receive clothing and baggage forthe occupant of each upper berth.y

lVhen the upper berth sections are to be turned into inoperative, vertical position, the

curtain 22 will, of course, be detached from the berth section 7 and permitted to coil about the spring roller 23. Also, each of said berth sections 7, 8, is provided with flanges which, when the sections are turned to vertical position, will extend over and conceal the slots in the upright frame members through which the cables 12 pass.

It is believed that the manner of operating andl advantages of the improvements will be readily understood from the foregoing description and the drawings.

While I have illustrated, and in the foregoing description specifically referred to, an embodiment of the invention in which fluid pressure is employed to raise the upper berth sections it is to be understood that other forms of power devices might be employed- A for this purpose.

Also, of course, I do not intend to limit myself to using casings or cylinders for the berth supporting plungers of the exact form shown.

That I claim is:

1. In a sleeping car, an upper berth comprising two members adapted to be positioned in substantially horizontal alignment for use as a bed, or in vertically spaced relation to constitute a seat and floor.

2. In a sleeping car, an upper berth comprising two members adapted to be positioned in substantially horizontal alignment for use as a bed, or in vertically spaced relation to constitute a seat and floor, and means connecting said members and extending across the space between them when they are out of alignment.

3. In a sleeping car, an upper berth comprising two members adapted to be positioned in substantially horizontal alignment for use as a bed, or in vertically 4spaced relation to constitute a seat and floor, and a flexible curtain mounted on a roller carried by one of said members and adapted to be connected to the other member and extend across the space between said members when they are out of alignment.

4. In a sleeping car, an upper berth, comprising two members adapted to be positioned in substantially horizontal alignment for use as a bed, or in vertically spaced relation to constitute a seat and floor, and a flexible curtain permanently connected to one 0f said members and adapted to be engaged with the other member and to extend across the space between said members when they are out of alignment.

5. In a sleeping car, the combination of an upper berth comprising two members adapted to befadjusted from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical positions, and means for effecting relative vertical adjustment between said members when they are in their horizontal positions, for the purpose described.

6. In a sleeping car, the combination of an upper berth comprising two members adapted to be positioned in substantially horizontal alignment for use as a bed, of means for adjusting one of said members bodily vertically relative to the other, while maintaining it substantially horizontal.

7. In a sleeping car, the combination of an upper berth comprising two members adapted to be positioned in substantially horizontal alignment for use as a bed, of means for adjusting either of said members bodily vertically relative to the other, while maintaining the movable member substantially horizontal.

8. In a sleeping car, the combination with an upper berth comprising two members adapted to be adjusted from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical positions, and means for effecting relative Vertical adjustment between said members when they are in their horizontal positions.

9. In a sleeping car, the combination with a pair of seats adapted to constitute a lower berth, vertically extending casings arranged in the frames of said seats, pistons in said casings, and an upper berth supported by said pistons and comprising two members adapted to be positioned in substantial parallelism with the vertical planes of the pistons or te project substantially horizontally therefrom. 10. In a sleeping car, the combination with seats arranged in pairs, back to back, of vertically extending casings positioned between the members of each pair of seats, a piston in each casing, an upper berth sectionpivotally connected to the pistons at opposite ends of each pair of seats, a counterweight in each casing, connections between each counterweighty and the adjacent berth section for supporting the berth section in substantially horizontal position, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to each casing beneath the piston therein.

1l. In a sleeping car, the combination with an .upper berth comprising two sections adapted to be positioned in substantially horizontal, aligned, position to serve as a bed, or in substantially Vertical, parallel, position, fluid pressure actuated pistons supporting said berth sections, and means controllable from within the berth for eecting vertical movement of said pistons.

12. In a sleeping car, the combination with a berth comprising two members adapted to be positioned in substantially horizontal alignment for use as a bed, of means controllable by an occupant of the berth for effecting relative vertical movementbetween said members whereby one of them is adapted to serve as a seat.

13. In a sleepingcar, the combination with a berth comprising two members adapted to be positioned in substantially horizontal alignment for use as a bed, of means controllable by an occupant ofthe berth'for eifecting relative vert-ical 'movement between said members while maintaining` both` substantially horizontal.

14. In a sleepingcar, the combination with a berth ,comprising two members adapted to be positioned in substantially horizontal alignment for` use as a bed, adjustable means supporting both said members, and means controllable by an occupant of the berth for actuating said adjustable means to move either of said members bodily vertically.

casings at both ends of each of said seats, a

vplunger in each said casing provided with a tubular stem, two upper berth members respectively supported by the plunger adjacent each seat and each adapted to be adjusted to extend substantially parallel to its sup- Aporting plungers or to project substantialwindows beingl adapted to be turned outward from the car about a vertical axis and intwo series orV groups spaced vertically from each other and, respectively, communicating with the upper and lower berth spaces.

18. In a sleeping car, the combination of two oppositely facing seats adapted to be adjusted to constitute a lower berth, an upper berth, and a curtain-like screen adapted to be secured in position separating the berths from the car aisle and provided with two movable portions arranged to close `openings in the vcurtain and communicating, respectively, with the lower and upper berths.

19.'In a sleeping car, the combination of two oppositely'facing seats adapted to be adj usted to constitute a lower berth, an upper berth, a. curtain-like screen adapted to be se-V cured in position separating the berths from the car aisle and provided with two movable port-ions arranged to close openings in the curtain l and communicating, respectively, with the lower and upper berths, and means adapted to be actuated by occupants of the berths for securing said portions in position over said openings.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. v

KARL H. MIDDENDORF.

15. In a sleeping car, the combination of two oppositely facing seats adapted to be adjusted to constitute a lower berth, vertical casings at both ends of each of said seats, members movable vertically in said casings, two upper berth members, respectively connected to said vertically movable members adjacent one of the seats so that they may be adjusted to occupy substantially horizontal or substantially vertical positions, and means for adjusting the vertically movable members in the casing adjacent each seat to bodily raise or lower the corresponding berth sec tion when the latter is in its substantially horizontal position.

16. In a sleeping car, the combination of two oppositely facing seats. adapted to be adjusted to constitute a lower berth, vertical lll) 

